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THE CRADLE EXPERIENCE, Cradle of HumankindLUXURY WEEKEND AWAY – WITH A WEIRD TWIST

We had a very interesting escapism, just an hour outside Joburg, in the Cradle of Humankind. Stayed at the luxurious De Hoek, a 5 star County Hotel. Although only 20 years old, it has a very colonial, lived in appeal, probably attributed to the fact that it was built onto an old farm house, using recycled antiquities such as old wooden flooring from the Wanderers stadium, a ship mask and old marble stairs.

It’s all very tastefully put together, luxurious and it definitely inspires romance. Perfect for a couple…yes, let your dirty imagination go there because you’re spot on. I wouldn’t say the rooms are over the top luxurious, but there is something about they way they are put together which gives you an instant injection of relaxation. Spend one night there and it will feel as though you’ve treated yourself to a long-weekend away. They’ll even run you a candle-lit bubble bath with champers on ice – on request. They’re very accommodating. The food, is another experience altogether. If you enjoy dishes that look prettier than an artwork, you’ll enjoy their dinners. Breakfast time is equally exquisite with a fresh, scrumptious, delectable buffet spread out across their dining hall.

We then decided to collide this luxurious experience with a completely bizarre interlude…not entirely sure why…I think we were just keen for something interesting..? We ended up having dinner at a loopy place called the Goblin’s Inn.Think of a fairy-obsessed kid and picture their imagination exploding into a restaurant and B&B wonderland…that’s what you get. It’s not exactly ‘our thing’ but it’s definitely very memorable and if you’re in the area, and in the mood to give yourself an injection of ‘huh?…hmmm…weird’, then pop in.

En route home, it was back to the luxury as we stopped off at the Cradle Restaurant for a spectacular sundowner against a setting that would have fitted perfectly into the epic ‘Out of Africa’.

Lastly, we took a trippy detour through Lanseria Airport grounds and scoped out the aeroplane graveyard. It’s an arb thing toodoo but I love planes and I’ve always loved this setting for some reason.

Wow – did all of that in the space of 30 hours or so….and we can’t understand why we’re so tired in the new week….